Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Parametric/associative geometry design software represents the current 'state of the art' in engineering and building design exploration. It is used by leading design firms to rapidly explore design alternatives and to resolve of complex design problems. This unit will introduce students to methods of problem solving using parametric geometry methods as an extension of their experience in standard CAD environments, such as Autodesk, Bentley and Graphisoft products.

Aims

1. To introduce you to the range of problems suitable for resolution using parametric geometry techniques;
2. To develop familiarity with leading parametric geometry software tools;
3. To provide you with a 'toolkit' of techniques that can be applied to resolve problems that are amenable to this approach including fabrication methods to develop physical prototypes;
4. Encourage you to reflect on the different approaches used between traditional design techniques and parametric geometry systems.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you will have:
1. Developed competency in the use of parametric geometry software;
2. Understood how to break problems down into sub-problems in a manner suitable for parametric geometry systems;
3. Applied parametric geometry techniques to several design problems.
4. Understand how to transfer information between "traditional" 3D CAD and parametric geometry systems into fabrication technologies and physical prototypes.

Content

This unit will cover the general principles of parametric geometry systems. These will then be applied to a range of discrete problems to cover a wide range of parametric geometry features such as form generation. Interfacing parametric geometry systems to other software such as spreadsheets and environmental analysis will also be introduced. Problem solving for larger systems will then be covered.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be conducted through a mix of lectures and tutorials.

Teaching Mode: Hours per week:
Lecture/tutorial: 3 hours

Lectures will cover the aspects of problem solving using parametric geometry. Tutorials will consist of a series of small exercises that will reinforce the content of the lectures. Each student will also work on a single project relevant to their discipline throughout the semester.

Assessment

Assessment will be courseworkFeedback will be provided in CRA sheets and by individual discussion.

Assessment name: Design
Description: Modelling excercise in Generative Components.
Submission - 28th March 2011.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Week 4

Assessment name: Design
Description: Students will work on a design problem related to one of their other subjects.PART A - 30 %

Your submission will consist of sketches, diagrams, screen shots, grasshopper definitions, renders, collages, etc, demonstrating experimentation being undertaken for your design. The emphasis at this point is on the generation ideas and the exploration process. These images will be submitted as powerpoint slides that give the "narrative" of your design. Your narrative is as important as the final design submission and your design approach is being assessed as much as your actual project.

The submissions will be assessed using the following schedule:

30% - Exploration of design alternatives, including appropriate selection of parameters;
50% - Sophistication and complexity of design experimentation;
15% - Visual communication of ideas;
5% - Oral communication of ideas.
DUE DATES: PRESENTATION ¿ IN CLASS, WEEK 9, WEDNESDAY 2ND MAY 2012; ONLINE SUBMISSION ¿ BLACKBOARD, FRIDAY 4TH MAY 2012 (MIDNIGHT).

For this part of the assignment, you are required to submit:

Your grasshopper files;
The powerpoint narrative of your design process.


PART B - 50%

Your submission will consist of two A1 competition-style panels illustrating your pavilion design and a curated outline of your design process. Your design process is being assessed as much as your final project, and creating a narrative in your panels that explains your thinking is critical.
Relates to objectives: 1,2 ,3, 4
Weight: 80%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 14

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

There is no set text for this unit.

Reference materials are:
H. Pottmann, A. Asperl, M. Hofer and A. Kilian. (2007) Architectural Geometry. Exton, Pa.: Bentley Institute Press.
Bentley Institute (2010) Generative Components Essentials
C Ceccato, L Hesselgren, M Pauly, H Pottmann, J Wallner (2010) Advances in Architectural Geometry 2010


Recommended reading will be provided in week 1 and posted on unit's Blackboard site.


Software references:
Specific software references vary from semester to semester based on the current version of software applications. Recommended Software reference texts will be published on the units Blackboard site.

Material from the Internet (Hypertext):
This material will be presented on the Blackboard site for the unit.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 05-Oct-2012